Political reporters 'excluded'

POLITICAL CORRESPONDENTS based in the Dáil are to make a formal complaint to the Government press service today over their exclusion from last week’s meeting between the Taoiseach and Queen Elizabeth.

RTÉ presenter Kathryn Thomas was the only member of the Irish media to be given access to the historic meeting at Government Buildings on Wednesday.

A member of the British press corps also covered the event in a “pool” capacity, meaning the information gathered was distributed to colleagues. This reporter is understood to have been a royal correspondent with a British daily newspaper.

Former Fine Gael press officer Feargal Purcell, who is set to become the Government press secretary when the incumbent Eoghan Ó Neachtain leaves his post, admitted yesterday he was wrong to select Thomas alone from among the Irish media to attend the event.

Thomas, who is best known for presenting Winning Streakwith Marty Whelan and for the No Frontierstravel programme, went on the John Murray show on RTÉ Radio One last Thursday.

“I was out walking the dogs when I got a phone call from Feargal Purcell . . . and he says, can you be here in an hour?

Thomas said she immediately took a taxi to Government Buildings, where she was surprised to be given access to Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s office, where the Queen sat under the portrait of Michael Collins.

Afterwards, Thomas said she spoke to Mr Kenny about what he had discussed with the Queen, “because she’s quite softly spoken”.

Some 25 media personnel were allowed to wait outside Government Buildings while the meeting took place.